From: Lauri Raymond [laraymond@hotmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, March 24, 2001 10:33 AM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Docket 00N-1396 & Docket 00D-1598
Dear Public Servants:
As the head of a household with allergies and food sensitivities, my
thoughts on genetically engineered foods are clear and unshakeable.
* The FDA must require mandatory pre-market comprehensive
environmental review. Unlike conventional pollutants,
where a given amount of pollutant causes a limited amount
of damage, a small number of mutant genes could have a
population explosion and reproduce forever, causing
unlimited and irreparable damage.
* The FDA must require mandatory pre-market long-term health
testing. GE products could be toxic, cause allergic
responses, have lower nutritional value, and compromise
immune responses in consumers.
* The FDA must require mandatory labeling of GE products.
Without mandatory labeling, neither consumers nor health
professionals will know if an allergic or toxic reaction
was the result of a genetically engineered food. Consumers
would be deprived of the critical knowledge needed to hold
food producers liable should any of these novel products
be hazardous.
* The FDA must end its cozy relationship with the industries
it purports to be regulating. People have been allowed to
work for a biotech company, then work for the FDA writing the
regulatory rules on that company's product, then go back to
working for the company. Ninety-two percent of FDA advisory
committee meetings had at least one conflict of interest.
We rely on the FDA to provide Americans with full, accurate information
about our food, as well as strong industry guidelines to promote the general
welfare. American consumers deserve this and nothing less.
Sincerely,
Lauri Raymond
1709 Elmhurst Dr.
Austin, TX 78741
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